I suppose I should have noticed it earlier but I didn’t. On Sunday, after returning from a trip to the grocery store, I had all my reusable bags together on the floor. Frankie got on top of them and squatted down like he was going to pee on them. I wasn’t sure if that was his intention but I yelled at him and startled him pretty good. That night he climbed on Rose’s dresser where Rose had some clothes stacked up and Squatted like he was going to pee again. I yelled at him again, wondering what the heck is going on in his mind.
Tuesday evening, after coming home from work, I noticed Frankie get in the litter box, squat to pee, and then get out without peeing. Two minutes later he was in the box again trying to pee. That concerned me and I decided to keep an eye on him. I also decided that after work on Wednesday I would stop at the pet food store to see if I can get a holistic remedy for urinary tract problems.
Wednesday morning I noticed he was still having trouble peeing. I looked up potential causes and one major concern was a urinary blockage. Some of the websites said the blockage could be fatal. Some of the symptoms of that was lethargy and crying while trying to pee. Frankie had neither one of those problems. He was still running around the house chasing Puck and he gave no indication that he was in pain while trying to pee.
The truth is I had a dilemma. I am starting a new job next week and today was my day off from my old company, but I’ve been working on my day off for the new company for the last few weeks. I didn’t want to be late for work before actually starting full time.
I called my wife, who is on a business trip in San Diego, to see what she thought. She said I should bring him to the vet, so I called to see when I could bring Frankie in. This was the same vet that Puck went to for his over grooming problem.
The vet’s office hours start at 9 a.m. but I called at 8:15 just in case someone was there. Someone answered and when I explained the situation she said to bring Frankie in right away because they consider that an emergency. So I quickly finished getting ready, put Frankie in his carrier, and drove up to the vet’s office, which is almost 15 minutes away. Frankie was very good the entire trip. I never heard a peep out of him.
When I arrived they put us in an exam room and then said something about leaving him there. I said “Wait, no one said that I would be dropping him off.” The woman then explained that the doctor has surgery in the morning and doesn’t start looking at patients until 10 o’clock. In addition a condition like Frankie’s almost always requires a long-stay, usually overnight. Part of me wanted to just stay and wait for the doctor because leaving him complicated everything but I took her advice and went home.
Around 9:30, shortly after I got home and was getting ready for work, I got a call from the vet who said Frankie does not have a blockage. That meant I could pick Frankie up, which I promptly did. I just wish I had listened to my gut and stayed at the vet’s office.
The bill was $296. The vet gave Frankie an antibiotic shot (big surprise) and the medication that he said was for anxiety, or something like that. He seemed to think that Frankie’s problem was psychological. I didn’t agree with that because Frankie is not like Puck. He doesn’t get it nervous and stressed like that.
I was in a bit of a hurry so I just paid the bill and left with Frankie. I dropped him off at home, quickly got ready, and left for work.
After work I stopped at the pet food store and asked the woman what she had for urinary tract infection. She said she had just what I needed, a product called PetAlive UTI-free. In fact, she raved about how wonderful it was. The only problem was that it was $40 for a very small bottle, but I figured if it works it would be worth it. I looked it up later and found it for nearly half that price on Amazon. I think sometimes I am better off not knowing.
When I got home I looked at the medication that the vet gave me. It’s called Prazosin. According to Wikipedia it is a sympatholytic drug used to treat high blood pressure and anxiety, PTSD, and panic disorder. That was a surprise because usually the vet prescribes antibiotics and steroids. This time he prescribed antibiotics and whatever the hell this is.
I decided not to give this to Frankie. It’s bad enough he got antibiotics again, he doesn’t need some weird drug for panic disorder. I’m very surprised that this doctor calls himself a holistic vet. I will say, however, Puck is doing a bit better since his last visit so maybe I don’t know everything. Even so, I would rather try to this holistic stuff that I bought first before subjecting Frankie to anti-psychotic drugs for a urinary tract infection.
The bottle of UTI-Free contains many very tiny balls that dissolve in water. I was told to put a pinch in Frankie’s mouth six times in three hours. I suck at forcing stuff in cat’s mouths so I added a pinch of the stuff to a little butter on my finger and let Frankie lick it off, which he gladly did.
I gave him a little more this morning by adding it to his food. So far I have only seen Frankie in the box once this morning, which is good, but I was not in a position to see if he actually peed or not.
What do you think? Any advice on this matter would be appreciated.
P.S. The WordPress editor wants me to replace words like indication, contains and position with simpler words. I don’t want to do that because I think they are simple enough. Please let me know if any of these words give you trouble.
Bad Cat Chris 
I’m glad you got Frankie to the vet. Any pee issues with male cats can be serious. And as far as it being stressed-related, yes it can…even if you think Frankie is a laid-back cat and doesn’t appear stressed. Cats show stress in many different ways…sometimes very subtle. But that doesn’t mean you have to give him drugs for stress. I would only use the stress drugs as a last resort…if he continuously has problems. I would make sure you’re feeding him wet food mostly, and add a little water to it. You can certainly try the UTI-Free stuff and see if it helps as well. I’m glad Frankie is better…this could be just a one time thing, too. ~Island Cat Mom
Thanks. I hope it’s a one-time thing. I’m going to keep a close eye on him and they may consider the drugs but only, as you said, a last resort.
we cross all paws and fingers that the uti-meds work and that frankie feels better soon. I’m with you it’s hard to believe that it was “just” a psychological thing…. I never use the editor, it’s more annoying for me than helpful :o)
Thanks Easy it seems like the editor is not a favorite of some people.
Glad Frankie doesn’t have a blockage and if he did have a UTI the antibiotic shot ought to help……as for your holistic UTI stuff I’d rather use THAT than some drug to calm him down. You know your cat best….even if he has a bit of stress – who doesn’t?! Seriously though, it sounds like the butter trick is working so why not continue with that and see if you notice any behavior changes with the box and peeing. As for WordPress’ editor – I don’t use it. It’s a pain in the neck!
Pam
The butter trick was just for the first day now I can just put it in his food twice a day. The biggest problem I have with the WordPress editor is that it thinks I’m a terrible writer. Who knows, maybe I am.
Thanks for following Buddy Budd’s bloggie. He does not post much but is a good kitty. Hope you are following me too.
We have Frankie in our purr circle.
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Timmy
If I am not following you I will look for you when I get home and have time.
Timmy’s RN Dad here.
Being one of those rare creatures who practices across the entrenched divide between medicine and behavioral medicine I agree with your decision. Medicine and veterinary medicine are entirely too ready to give psychotropic medication without taking time to know the patient. Sounds like Mr Vet assumes that since Frankie is in the same home as Puck he has the same issues. As other friends have stated cats can have stress while hiding it very well, but, behavior will out.
The holistic medication, if it works is the way to go.
Also it may help to think about the items he squatted on. Were the clothes freshly washed? If so scent may b e on them of a detergent, fabric softener or, if you are in an apartment with shared machines or use a laundry it may be the previous load had some scent on it. Same with shopping bags. The type of bag or setting them down where they can pick up a scent. Any number of things could be something to whiff. My fellows are interested in our shopping bags and crowd around to just sniff them all. And can they sniff!
We play “catch the treat” and my one fellow, Rumpy, thinks he is Babe Ruth. He whacks the treat and sometimes instead of being knocked to the ground it goes who knows where. My furs know where. In no time on or the other are pawing to get behind the mattress or between the cushions on the couch. When I look there is a lonely tiny treat a foot down at least. I am amazed they can smell them out. Scent can be very faint and a cat reacts.
Another thing may be neighborhood or feral cats outside. This can cause stress as even if they are not visible as scent rules.
And about the squatting. One of my fellows, Buddy, squats now and again looking like he is going to let go a puddle. I no longer rush over to move him along as he just squats for whatever reason is in his cat brain has at the moment. I bow to his desires as he causes no ill to our home.
Something to think about is that cats have scent glands around their anus which they check out on each other regularly. I don’t see my crew bumping their butts against things but… cats are so unique I never put anything past them.
If any of this helps great. If not may it all slip into the great ether never to be seen again.
Oh, maybe explore local vets if you feel the need. That bill seems a bit on the high side.
Purrs and prayers from us all
Thanks for following Buddy Budd’s blog! He needs to start posting.
Dad Pete and the Clowder
PS
About that “dumbing down” your writing. We are reaping what we sow with the texting generations and bringing things down to the lowest denominator. Let them break out the dictionaries I say!
Thanks for the great comment. I will always look for a more natural route over drugs except in a life-or-death situation.
I I once had doberman trodded through snow up to her chest for about ten feet and dug up a piece of frozen bread. Now that’s a good nose.
I agree that if a word is difficult for someone looking it up will help them.
Glad it wasn’t a blockage and I hope he gets better quickly.
Thank you much.
Potential blockages, especially in male cats, really are emergencies, and it’s a good thing you took Frankie in because you wouldn’t know if he had a blockage or was just “uncomfortable” without their help. If you are giving Frankie an additional med, even if it is holistic and over the counter, you should let your vet know in case there is any conflict between the meds. I’m glad he’s feeling better!
Incidentally, even though he doesn’t act like Puck, there is always the chance that he has some stress – I know that when he makes his escapes out the door, he gets really, really stressed. I can tell by his behavior in the videos of when he gets out. Any dominance behavior, or trying to get out, can also be signs of stress – it’s nothing you’re doing, it’s just the way it is. And I don’t mean to say that what the vet prescribed him is right for him – as one of the other commenters said, you know your cat best – just that it’s something to possibly look at and maybe think of non-medical ways to make him feel more comfortable as an indoor cat.
I’m glad I took him into. You just never know. It’s possible he has stress but I can’t see it while he is lying around with his belly in the air.
I am glad Frankie didn’t have a blockage, you were smart to take him to the vet. I am sorry i have no words of advice, it sounds like you are doing the right thing though by nit giving him the anti anxiety med.
Thanks for agreeing with me. Now if I can only convince my wife.
I hope that Frankie is already ok. About the words, if I understand them you can use them, and I did.
Thank you.
We cross our paws for Frankie and hope the drugs work as expected. Get better soon, buddy ! Purrs
Thanks for your concern.
When it comes to urinary problems, especially in male cats, what’s already been said is right on – err on the side of caution (and I am sympathetic about vet bills, believe me !) You would be crushed if anything happened to any of your boys . Hope he gets well soon !
Thanks. I’m glad I took him to the vet so I could worry less.
I read the Island Cats response and I whole-heartedly agree so I didn’t need to read the others. I am glad that Frankie is doing much better! I am like you though, I hate giving certain medications unless I absolutely have to. I also don’t believe in giving drugs for panic, etc…..cats do get stressed at the Vet, that’s normal…….I would always listen to your gut.catchatwithcarenandcody
Thanks Caren. I think the drugs will never address the root cause.
I’m an RN and the patients I know (obviously not cats) take Prazosin for urinary retention and/or enlarged prostate. Perhaps yor vet isn’t a good communicator at times and meant to say that Frankie was having urinary retention due to stress. Perhaps Frankie senses stress that is subconscious to you like your new job. And remember even GOOD things generate stress. Cats are very intuitive and is maybe senses stress you aren’t tuned into. Will you be away from your cats more with your new job? Cats hate abandonment. Also, do you feed wet food to your cats? I don’t want to get on the soapbox of cat diets, but I have been told by more than one bet that cats can’t drink enough water to compensate for a dirt off dry food. I’ll stop the soapbox now!
Use the words you need to. Your posts are never complex, always interesting and thoughtfully written. Don’t change a thing!
Glad Frankie is OK. Please keep us posted! 💞
Thanks for the great comment. The vet said that Frankie had a “sore” bladder, whatever that means.
Don’t feel bad. I used speech to text to type most of this post because Chris was lying on my desk in front of the keyboard. I forgot to proof all of it and published it with a bunch of mistakes like butt instead of but. 🙂
Oh my gawd my autocorrect is out of control! I sound drunk! Sorry for not proofing before sending. And it’s vet not bet, and diet not dirt!
I didn’t even notice.
Well furst, anytime kitty has a purroblem with peein’ or poopin’ it’s an emergency and should be treated right away. Specially in boys. Not sure what you bought fur $40.00, but ifin it works it was worth it. You can also give d-Mannose as a purrventative and it’s much cheaper. As fur replacin’ words, well me speaks cat so you know how we feel about bein’ told what words to use. MOL Glad things are better. Sendin’ purrayers.
Luv ya’
Dezi
Frankie seems better now so what I bought seems to be working. I have D-Manos in the bathroom cabinet that I bought for my wife months ago. I forgot it was there until after I bought this other product. I also wasn’t sure if I could give it to cats. But I did think about it.
Glad he’s feelin’ better. d-Mannose is safe fur cats and a lot of da CKD kitties take it regularly since UTI are really common in them. Sis Lexi used to get it everyday.
Luv ya’
Dezi
I looked up the dosage and everyone says something different but the most believable is 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon twice a day. Do you agree? Also, one suggestion was one week on and three weeks off. What do you think?
Mommy gave sis Lexi 1/4 tsp/ 2 times a day everyday, but she had kidney disease and very dilute utrine. Me gets 1/8 tsp. a day. Da general rule is 3 weeks on 1 week off. Not sure where you got da other way round, but once a kitty has had urinary problems, they are goin’ to be prone to them fur da rest of their lives. 😦 You can also make up a d-Mannose syrup and refrigerate it fur up to 3 days. Me likes it in butter.
Luv ya’
Dezi
I think everyone has a different opinion. Once Frankie is better I will start out small and increase when necessary.
Yeah, mommy says it’s bestest to find what works fur you. Each kitty and situation is different and when dealin’ with natural remedies, they work a little differently fur everypawdy too. Good luck.
Luv ya’
Dezi
Thanks for your advice.